2005 PORSCHE CARRERA GT

KEY FACTS

• A sublime driver’s car, which has been used and enjoyed, and which is fresh from a major £53,000 service and overhaul at Porsche Centre Reading.
• It is powered by an astonishing race-bred 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V10, producing up to 604bhp and 435lb-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels through a slick six-speed manual transmission.
• Delivered in November 2004 to the US market, this Carrera GT was then exported to Belgium around 10 years ago, before being imported to the UK in 2020 and officially re-registered in July 2021.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Car number 307, this Carrera GT was supplied to its first owner via Higginbotham Automobiles LLC in Jackson, Mississippi. A clean Carfax report on file shows that the Porsche remained with its original owner for eight years, accruing around 37,500 miles on American soil, before being exported to Europe into a private collection in Belgium.
• The necessary specification changes were made to enable it to be registered in the EU, and it remained on the continent until 2020, when it was acquired by a Porsche enthusiast in the UK.
• The current owner acquired the car last year, and is only the fourth keeper from new. This Carrera GT was subsequently re-registered in the UK in July 2021.
• With the bodywork finished in the timeless hue of GT Silver, this is complemented by the classic Ascot Brown and black interior colour scheme. There are also bare metal and gloss carbon-fibre trims throughout the cabin.
• Falling easily to hand in the central structure is the elegant birch and ash wood gear knob, layered and lacquered to produce a beautifully smooth and tactile shifter.
• To avoid low-ground contact, the car is fitted with a RUF front suspension lift system.
• It rides on the original five-spoke 19-inch and 20-inch centre-lock alloy wheels, which are in great shape, retaining their red and blue locking nuts for the left and right sides of the car respectively.
• Accompanying the car is the complete US market book pack, including the owner’s manual, stamped warranty and maintenance booklet, and the Porsche Online Pro stereo user guide. The original Becker code cards are present, along with a raft of paperwork covering its early life in the US and the more recent servicing. The seller also has the US-spec rear light clusters, should a future owner wish to take it back to North America.

Factory specification:

• C02: US-market car
• 197: High-amp battery
• 572: Air-conditioning
• 681: Sound system
• 690: Becker Porsche Online Pro CD and Radio

CONDITION

• The bodywork presents in excellent condition, with no evidence of any prior damage.
• Indeed, the previous owner was advised by Porsche Centre East-Flanders that the paint appeared to be original throughout, and it still presents in very good order. There are a few minor chips around the rear air intakes and near the fuel filler cap, and some more noticeable stone chips around the front end as you would expect from road use. There is also a small graze under the front bumper on the passenger side.
• There is some slight creasing and wrinkling in the leather as you would expect with age, and minor wear to the black leather on the driver’s seat outer bolster, but in general the interior looks absolutely superb.
• There are no faults with any of the electrics, and no warning lights on the dashboard.
• The most recent MOT test was on 1 December 2020 at 38,251 miles, which resulted in a first-time pass with no advisories whatsoever.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The last scheduled maintenance was carried out in February 2021 at 38,253 miles. This comprised a major service at Porsche Centre Reading, including an engine oil and filter change, new air filters and cabin filter, renewal of the drive belts, gearbox oil, brake fluid, and coolant; and new o-rings and sealing rings throughout.
• Its camshafts were found to be pitted, so these were all replaced including new tappets, air purge lines, and adjusting discs - at a cost of £16,321 for this work alone. All 10 ignition coils were also replaced, plus the starter motor.
• Both rear light clusters were replaced with UK-market versions (though the original US items accompany the car), a new fog lamp was installed, a new battery was fitted, all four tyres were renewed with new pressure sensors, and both front brake discs and pads were replaced. In total, the invoice for this major service and overhaul at Porsche Centre Reading came to £53,325.
• A clutch wear reading was carried out just after this major service, showing a measurement of 30.67mm (98.9% of its original width).
• Prior services were carried out in March 2020 at 38,001 miles, and also in June 2018, both by Porsche Centre East-Flanders.

Summary of maintenance history:

• 17/11/2004 - 31 miles (Pre-delivery)
• 27/10/2005 - 5,872 miles
• 19/10/2006 - 13,000 miles
• 14/11/2007 - 22,879 miles
• 10/10/2008 - 26,659 miles
• 24/11/2009 - 33,373 miles
• 28/01/2010 - 33,438 miles
• 21/12/2010 - 37,559 miles
• 14/11/2016 - 37,706 miles (60,683 km)
• 25/03/2020 - 38,001 miles (61,157 km)
• 10/02/2021 - 38,253 miles

SUMMARY

This Porsche Carrera GT is a coveted flagship supercar, boasting purity and precision rarely found among the latest performance cars. The incredible response of its naturally aspirated V10 is matched with an absorbing analogue driving experience that is hard to beat once mastered. This particular car has been well maintained, and benefits from a recent £53,000 overhaul, addressing some of the major jobs on this landmark supercar. An eminently usable example; it is a fantastic opportunity for a Porsche enthusiast who has been seeking a car that is ready to drive as intended.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.